Industrial Enterprise Solutions operating net sales amounted to 442.2 million EURO in the 2nd quarter of 2018. Using fixed exchange rates and a comparable group structure (organic growth), net sales increased by 9%. Regionally, organic growth was 13 per cent in Americas, 9 per cent in Asia and 6 per cent in EMEA. Total sales for 1st half of 2018 were reported as 830.5 million EURO representing an 8% increase over 2017 period.

IES benefited from double-digit organic growth in North America, mainly driven by strong demand from the automotive and aerospace industry and order wins in the power and energy segment. South America recorded double-digit organic growth. In Asia, China continued to record robust organic growth across all businesses in the segment whereas South Korea remained weak. In EMEA, Western Europe recorded mid-single digit growth, mainly driven by strong growth in Germany and Italy but hampered by weak sales in Spain. Regarding the divisions within IES, Manufacturing Intelligence recorded 8 per cent organic growth, mainly driven by strong demand from the automotive and aerospace industries and continued strength in electronics and the software portfolio. PPM accelerated in the quarter, recording 14 per cent organic growth, supported by several new large perpetual license orders and good market traction in North America.

“The solid start to 2018 continued in the second quarter, with Hexagon recording 9 per cent organic growth, record earnings and strong cash flow. The 8 per cent organic growth recorded in Manufacturing Intelligence is attributable to increased demand in automotive and aerospace and continued strength in China” reported Ola Rollén, President and CEO, Hexagon AB.